Blackguard Assassin (Antipaladin/Rogue)

While antipaladin’s are viewed as purely evil and malevolent, the blackguard assassin is feared as a deadly killer with the honed skills of a frontline combatant. Using the stealth and death attacks of an assassin, the blackguard assassin can study his mark from afar, and slay him the next instant without anyone realizing it. Then, under the guise of a gruff and powerful warrior, he can escape the scene without being conspicuous. His combination of evasive maneuvers, fellfire strikes, precision attacks, and roguish capacities make the blackguard assassin a fearsome foe to behold.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The blackguard assassin may select six rogue skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal antipaladin class skills. The blackguard assassin gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

The blackguard assassin is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, light, medium), but not with shields.

Smite Good (Su)

This is exactly like the antipaladin ability of the same name, except that the blackguard assassin can smite good 1/day at 1st level, and an additional time per day every six levels thereafter, to a maximum of 4/day at 19th level.

Sneak Attack

At 2nd level, a blackguard assassin gains the rogue’s sneak attack ability, except that this extra damage is 1d6 at 2nd level, and increases by 1d6 every four blackguard assassin levels thereafter. This stacks with any class that grants the sneak attack class feature. This ability replaces touch of corruption.

Poison Use

At 3rd level, a blackguard assassin is trained in the use of poison and cannot accidentally poison himself when applying poison to a blade. This ability replaces plague bringer.

Cruelty (Su)

This is exactly like the antipaladin ability of the same name, except that each cruelty adds an effect to the blackguard assassin’s sneak attack Alternatively, each time that the blackguard assassin could select a cruelty he can select a rogue talent for which he qualifies instead. At 12th level, a blackguard assassin can select an advanced talent whenever he could select a rogue talent.

Evasion (Ex)

At 4th level, a blackguard assassin can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the blackguard assassin is wearing light armor, medium armor, or no armor. A helpless blackguard assassin does not gain the benefit of evasion. This ability, uncanny dodge, and improved uncanny dodge replace the antipaladin’s spellcasting ability.

Fellfire Strike (Su)

At 4th level, a blackguard assassin can wreath his weapon in fiendish flame, causing terrible wounds to open on those he strikes. Each day he can use this ability a number of times equal to 1/2 his blackguard assassin level + his Charisma modifier. This fiendish fire can cause 1d6 points of damage for four blackguard assassin levels he possesses, to a maximum of 5d6 damage. Using this ability is a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. This ability replaces channel negative energy.

Death Attack (Ex)

At 5th level, the blackguard assassin gains the assassin’s death attack ability. This ability replaces smite good 2/day, 4/day, and 6/day.

Fiendish Boon (Su)

This is exactly like the antipaladin’s ability of the same name, except that the blackguard assassin must select the weapon bond.

Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)

Quiet Death (Ex)

At 14th level, the blackguard assassin gains the assassin’s quiet death ability. This ability replaces aura of sin.

Hide in Plain Sight (Su)

At 17th level, the blackguard assassin gains the assassin’s hide in plain sight ability. This ability replaces aura of depravity.

Death Strike (Su)

At 20th level, once per day, a blackguard assassin can make a death attack against a foe without studying the foe beforehand. He must still sneak attack his foe using a melee weapon that deals damage. The DC for the blackguard assassin's death attack is 10 + 1/2 the blackguard assassin's class level + the blackguard assassin's Charisma modifier. Once a creature has been the target of a death strike, regardless of whether or not the save is made, that creature is immune to that blackguard assassin’s death strike for 24 hours. Creatures that are immune to sneak attack damage are also immune to this ability. In addition, whenever he uses fellfire strike with his sneak attack, he deals the maximum possible amount of fellfire damage. This ability replaces unholy champion.

Feats

The blackguard assassin counts as an antipaladin, assassin, and rogue for any feats with level requirements in these classes.